The grand outer stone arena stood bathed in the harsh glare of the midday sun, its towering tiered benches packed with hundreds of eager disciples and observing proctors.
Senior Proctor Lin raised his hand to signal the start of the opening bracket in sector four, his slate robes fluttering slightly in the warm draft sweeping across the flagstones.
Down in the center of the ring, Ye Chen stood with his shoulders slightly rounded, wearing his standard gray tunic and carrying his plain iron sword in its boiled leather scabbard.
His opponent strode forward from the eastern gate with an arrogant swagger, drawing a long, slender spirit sword that hummed with pale blue Qi.
The challenger was a recognized prodigy from the upper eastern barracks named Valen, known for his relentless offensive
